There's a lot of news in this update and I'm super excited to share!
Funding Goal Projection & Change
As a project creator, I've been carefully tracking the project. It's my baby, after all. 🥺 I realized on Friday that the projections had turned negative--we would not hit our minimum funding goal by the end of the project fundraising period.
But we've already raised so much! Instead of fretting too much, I decided to send two different emails: the first to a second, vetted manufacturer about lower quantity orders, and the other to BackerKit.
First Email: Alternate Manufacturer
I have worked with this factory before on a small (100 piece) specialty order of a video game character fan-designed plush a couple of years ago. Below is my art and the result--as you can see their work matches my art closely, and the detail level is very high!
Custom plush I created of Claude von Riegan from Fire Emblem Three Houses with the alternate factory.
I've gotten a quote from the alternate manufacturer to create a much smaller number of each turtle plush (250 vs the quote of 1000 from the original factory). I trust that they will match the quality of the current turtle plush samples, and will be working from photos and my vector files directly to create samples before production.
With new quotes in hand, I was almost ready to announce that the first three turtles would be available at the initial funding goal of $8500. But that still didn't solve the initial problem that the project is projected to fall short of goal.
Second Email: BackerKit
The second email was to BackerKit, with a request--would it be possible to change my funding goal? And the T&S team have said yes! They've graciously to allowed us to lower the funding goal as a special exception (from 8500 down to 5200, which matches the current funding level). This is important because:
Mint Chocoturtle & Berry Chocoturtle are now funded! 🥳🥳🥳
If you'd like both plush, please swap tiers at your earliest convenience. You can change your pledge from the main project page at any time before the campaign ends.
This means we have a real chance at unlocking the whole group of these cutie turtles! 🥰
I've enabled Pay Over Time for anyone who was on the fence about pledging for tiers over $150USD. This will allow you to make four monthly payments in sequence after the campaign ends.
You won't receive your survey until all four payments are made. If you miss a payment, your forfeit your pledge & there will be no refunds on partial pledge payments.
New Tiers & Add-Ons
Pin Commission Tier
You'll work with me to create a totally unique, commissioned enamel pin design of your pet or original character (furry or human ok!). You'll receive 50 copies. This pin is just for you and will never be resold. You can give them away, hoard them, sell them--whatever floats your boat. Learn more about this tier here!
Pin Sponsor Tier
Do you have an idea for a turtle flavor you'd like to see turned into an enamel pin?
You'll receive 15 copies of your specially designed turtle pin, and it will also immediately become available to all backers to choose from in post-campaign surveys.
I'm happy to offer BIG! vinyl stickers of Mint Chocoturtle (6x6"/15x15cm) along with a set of two, smaller classic inki-Drop designs (each measuring 3x3"/7.62x7.62cm).
